Photo by Amanda Miller.

DROSERA was founded by Mariellé Anzelone, whose graduate work at Rutgers University, “Endangered Plant Species Populations in New Jersey; Health and Threats“, opened her eyes to the natural wonders in her own backyard.

As a botanist and urban conservation biologist, Ms. Anzelone preserves and restores the floristic diversity of the five boroughs. Current research includes the NYC Native Plant Conservation Initiative in partnership with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.  Her garden and landscape design work is inspired by the beauty of regional plant communities.

Her work has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, and The Huffington Post. She lectures extensively in the NYC-metro area, and provides educational services to environmental organizations.  She is currently writing her first book, Restoring Our Roots: An Urbanite’s Guide to Nature.